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Weekly Event Announcements for the City of Alexandria: March 13 – 19, 2010

Saturday, March 13 – 8th Annual March Madness Festival at Burke Branch Library
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library will be holding their 8th annual March Madness Festival from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 4701 Seminary Rd. The event will include book readings, face painting, a balloon show, folk dancing and more! For more information, call 703.519.6000.

Saturday, March 13 – Naomi Project Volunteer Training
The Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy invites volunteers who are interested in mentoring Alexandria pregnant teens and new moms to attend an upcoming training with the Naomi Project. The training is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Falls Church Presbyterian Church. The Naomi Project is a free, confidential, interfaith program that matches one volunteer with one pregnant or newly parenting woman in a mentoring friendship that extends through pregnancy and the baby's early development. To learn more or to register, contact Laura Greenspan at 703.860.2633 or visit www.naomiproject.org.

Saturday, March 13 – Recruiting Day
Ever thought about donning a wool uniform or putting on a hoop skirt? Interested in portraying the lives of persons who experienced the Civil War? Find out about this fun hobby at “Recruiting Day” at Fort Ward Museum (4301 W. Braddock Rd.) and get a chance to explore Civil War reenacting. From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., soldiers and civilians of the 3rd U.S. Regular Infantry will be on hand to talk about a soldier’s uniform and equipment, demonstrate drills, and explain the roles of military and civilian re-enactors. Visitors can also inquire about how to join local reenactment units and learn what kind of clothing and equipment a novice re-enactor requires. Fun for men, women and kids! For more information, please visit www.fortward.org or call 703.746.4848.

Saturday, March 13 – African American Storytelling
Master storyteller Baba Jamal Koram presents two free programs at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. At 11 a.m., explore the Gullah culture through traditional stories with “African Stories in De Americas: The Gullah People.” These exciting stories are fun for the whole family! Then at 1 p.m., learn how to give your stories dramatic impact and cultural flavor with “Black Storytelling 101.” During this workshop, Koram will outline the characteristics, philosophy and practice of the black storytelling concept and share the art of telling a spellbinding story. Reservations are requested and can be made by calling 703.746.4356. For more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org.

Saturday, March 13 – “From Florida to Coahuila” Film Screening
Join the Alexandria Black History Museum at 4:30 p.m. for a free film screening at the Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe St.), across the street from the museum. This film explores the African legacy in Mexico and focuses on Africans who escaped from slavery in the United States and made their way to the Spanish colony of Florida. There they intermarried with Seminoles, eventually moved into Mexico and gradually integrated into that culture. The film is a fascinating exploration of a cultural identity that transcends the constraints of political borders. For more information, visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.746.4356.

Closing Saturday, March 13 – “Grass Roots” Exhibition
“Grass Roots: African Origins of an American Art” is now open at the Alexandria Black History Museum, 902 Wythe St. Explore the history of coiled basketry in Africa and America with this traveling exhibition from the Museum for African Art. “Grass Roots” traces the evolution of an ancient art while examining rice-growing societies which, through the trans-Atlantic slave trade, exported their cultures to America. See baskets from the Lowcountry of South Carolina and Georgia as well as from diverse regions of Africa. Suggested admission is $2. The Alexandria Black History Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, please visit www.alexblackhistory.org or call 703.746.4356.

Friday, March 19 – Spring & Summer 2010 Recreation Program Guide Available Online
Subscribers to the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities mailing list will receive the Spring & Summer 2010 Recreation Program Guide during the week of March 22 and the guide will be posted online Friday, March 19. To be added to the mailing list for the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities’ Program Guide, individuals may request a free subscription online (www.alexandriava.gov/Recreation) or by calling 703.746.4343.

Coming Soon!

Monday, March 22 – Annual Salute to Women Awards Banquet
The Alexandria Commission for Women invites you to attend the Salute to Women Banquet beginning at 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza Hotel, 901 N. Fairfax St. The banquet, in conjunction with Women's History Month, is an event honoring individuals who have made a significant impact on women and girls living in Alexandria. The deadline to RSVP for this event is Tuesday, March 16. To view the invitation and reserve your seat(s), visit www.alexwomen.com. For more information, e-mail Angela.Johnson@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.5030.

Ongoing!

Every Monday through April 26 – Tavern Toddlers
Join us for a special program for toddlers (walkers through 36 months) and their caregivers at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal St. Tavern Toddlers features a weekly open playtime in Gadsby’s historic ballroom Mondays, excluding Federal holidays, through April 26 any time between 10:30 a.m. and noon. Cost is $7 for a group of three, which must include one adult, or $30 for purchase of a five-week pass. For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.746.4242.

Nominations for Excellence in Aging Awards
The Alexandria Commission on Aging is seeking nominations for its Annual Excellence in Aging Awards. These awards honor individuals, regardless of age, and organizations that have demonstrated superior contributions in advancing issues and projects that favorably affect older Alexandrians. Nomination information is available at www.alexandriava.gov/Aging and nominations are due March 31.

Nominations for Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award
Do you know someone in the City of Alexandria that should be nominated for their efforts to create an environmentally sustainable Alexandria? The City of Alexandria, the Alexandria Sanitation Authority, and the Environmental Policy Commission announce the City's second annual award program to formally recognize outstanding residents who have demonstrated their commitment to protecting the natural environment and promoting environmental sustainability. Nomination criteria and guidelines are available at www.alexearthday.org. Nominations should be submitted to the Office of Environmental Quality, 301 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314 by Friday, March 26. The award will be presented at Alexandria Earth Day on April 26 at Ben Brenman Park.

Open Through Saturday, May 31, 2010 – “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts”
A new exhibition at The Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., blends historical photographs, artifacts and reflections to tell the story of Girl Scouting in the Washington metropolitan area. “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts” features a collection of Girl Scout uniforms from the 1910s, 1930s and 1960s; Brownie items from as early as 1937; a display of cookie fundraising materials; extensive camping and hiking exhibits; and official Girl Scout gear including a canteen, collapsible cup, pocket knife, compass and more. Suggested admission is $2 and the exhibition is open through May 31, 2010. The Lyceum is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, please visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.838.4994.